India-Namibia Relations Strengthen Strategic South Partnership

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Namibia in July 2025, marking the first such visit by an Indian leader in nearly 30 years. The trip concludes a five-nation tour aimed at deepening ties with the Global South. This visit marks growing cooperation between India and Namibia in technology, health, infrastructure, development, and security.

Historical Background of India-Namibia Ties

India and Namibia share a long history rooted in their colonial pasts and liberation struggles. India supported Namibia’s independence early on, raising the issue at the United Nations in 1946. India hosted the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) embassy in New Delhi in 1986. It provided military training and material aid to Namibian freedom fighters battling apartheid South Africa. After Namibia’s independence in 1990, diplomatic missions were established in both countries. SWAPO leader Sam Nujoma made 11 visits to India, acknowledging India’s vital role in Namibia’s liberation.

Recent Diplomatic Engagements

The last Prime Minister of India to visit Namibia before Modi was Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998. Former President Pranab Mukherjee also visited in 2016, reaffirming India’s commitment to Namibia’s development. Modi’s 2025 visit aims to boost bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors. Namibia supports India’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat. Both countries signed a memorandum for the translocation of cheetahs, marking a unique wildlife conservation partnership.

Economic and Strategic Cooperation

Namibia is rich in critical minerals including uranium, lithium, zinc, and rare earth metals. India sees potential in securing energy and mineral resources vital for its economy. Bilateral trade surged 178% in 2023, reaching $654 million. India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, and cereals to Namibia and imports mineral oil and minerals. Indian investments in Namibia total around $800 million, focusing on mining and diamond processing. Capacity-building efforts include defence training, public health cooperation, and educational grants such as the ‘India Wing’ at the University of Namibia.

India’s Africa Policy and Regional Context

India views Africa as a key partner, emphasising sustainable South-South cooperation based on capacity-building and mutual respect. India ranks as Africa’s fourth largest trading partner and tenth largest foreign direct investor. India has completed over 200 infrastructure projects across 43 African countries. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has expanded India-Africa trade. India contrasts its approach with China’s, which faces criticism for creating debt dependencies. India promotes a humanitarian and people-centred partnership, brought into light by initiatives like the Africa-India defence dialogue and the SAGAR security framework.

Capacity Building and Humanitarian Assistance

India’s technical and economic cooperation with Namibia includes training defence personnel, diplomats, and health workers. India provided Covid-19 vaccines and humanitarian aid during droughts and floods. The ITEC programme remains a flagship initiative for skill development. Defence collaborations include joint exercises such as AF-INDEX. Such efforts strengthen bilateral ties beyond trade, focusing on human development and security cooperation.

Environmental and Wildlife Cooperation

The translocation of cheetahs from Namibia to India in 2022 was a landmark conservation project. It was the first intercontinental relocation of a major carnivore species. This initiative symbolises growing environmental cooperation and cultural exchange between the two nations.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the role of South-South cooperation in strengthening development partnerships between India and African countries like Namibia.
2. Analyse the impact of natural resource diplomacy on India’s foreign policy in Africa, with reference to critical minerals and energy security.
3. Examine the strategic implications of India’s defence and capacity-building initiatives in Africa. How do they contribute to regional security and India’s global standing?
4. Point out the challenges and opportunities in balancing economic engagement with China and India’s humanitarian approach in Africa.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the role of South-South cooperation in strengthening development partnerships between India and African countries like Namibia.

1. South-South cooperation emphasizes mutual respect, local ownership, and sustainable development without dependency.
2. India’s historical support to Namibia’s liberation struggle laid a foundation of trust and solidarity.
3. Capacity-building initiatives like ITEC and educational grants (e.g., ‘India Wing’ at University of Namibia) enhance skills and human resource development.
4. Development partnerships cover health, infrastructure, technology, and security sectors, promoting comprehensive growth.
5. India’s approach is people-centric and humanitarian, focusing on long-term partnerships beyond mere economic interests.
6. Such cooperation strengthens political ties and supports multilateral platforms like NAM and the African Union, encouraging collective progress.

2. Analyse the impact of natural resource diplomacy on India’s foreign policy in Africa, with reference to critical minerals and energy security.

1. Namibia’s abundance in uranium, lithium, zinc, and rare earth metals aligns with India’s energy and industrial needs.
2. Securing critical minerals supports India’s strategic autonomy and technological advancement.
3. India’s $800 million investment in mining and diamond processing reflects resource-driven economic engagement.
4. Trade growth (178% in 2023) shows increasing dependence on African resources for energy security.
5. Natural resource diplomacy strengthens bilateral ties and regional influence, balancing global supply chains.
6. It complements India’s broader Africa policy by integrating economic and strategic interests sustainably.

3. Examine the strategic implications of India’s defence and capacity-building initiatives in Africa. How do they contribute to regional security and India’s global standing?

1. Training of Namibian defence personnel and diplomats under ITEC enhances Africa’s institutional capacities and encourages interoperability.
2. Joint exercises like AF-INDEX build trust, improve maritime and regional security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
3. Defence dialogue and partnerships signal India’s commitment to peace and stability in Africa, countering extra-regional influences.
4. Capacity-building in health and governance strengthens resilience against crises, enhancing regional stability.
5. Such initiatives elevate India’s global stature as a responsible security partner and advocate of South-South solidarity.
6. They also support India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat by showcasing leadership in global security affairs.

4. Point out the challenges and opportunities in balancing economic engagement with China and India’s humanitarian approach in Africa.

1. China’s massive investments and infrastructure projects dominate Africa’s economic landscape but raise concerns of debt dependency (debt traps).
2. India’s smaller but focused investments emphasize capacity-building, local ownership, and sustainable development.
3. India’s humanitarian approach encourages goodwill and long-term partnerships based on solidarity, not just economics.
4. Competition with China pushes India to innovate and deepen ties via trade, defence, and development cooperation.
5. Challenges include limited financial scale compared to China and need to ensure visible impact on ground.
6. Opportunities lie in leveraging shared colonial histories, democratic values, and people-centric diplomacy to build trust and diversify Africa’s partnerships.